Periphrase

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɛɹiː.fɹeɪz/
• Homophones: paraphrase (if the second vowel is pronounced as a schwa, as it sometimes is)

Origin

From Latin periphrasis from Ancient Greek περίφρασις, from περιφράζομαι (periphrazomai, "I consider all sides of an issue"), from περί (peri, "around") + φράζω (phrazō, "I show, point out"). See phrase.

Full definition of periphrase

Noun

1. (rhetoric) The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
• unknown date De Quincey,To describe by enigmatic periphrases.

Synonyms

• periphrasis

Derived terms

• periphrasic

Verb

1. (transitive) To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
2. (intransitive) To use circumlocution.